Independence Seaport
Museum
Penn's Landing
Waterfront
211 S. Columbus Boulevard & Walnut
Street
Philadelphia
(215) 925-5439
Philadelphia's
port has long been one of the nation's
busiest. Through exhibits that include a
single racing shell used for rowing on
the Schuylkill River, secrets from sunken
ships, and the development of SCUBA
(Self-Contained Underwater Breathing
Apparatus) gear, this museum pays tribute
to the maritime heritage of the Delaware
Valley and shows how our waterways have
played a part in the nation's
immigration, commerce, defense, industry
and recreation.
Our Favorites
We have found that the best
exhibits at the Seaport Museum have an
interactive element. Our favorite is the
exhibit that allows visitors to chart a
course for Penn's Landing. You'll hear
audiotaped boat horns and whistles, view
the charts and navigational instruments
that helped guide early Delaware River
travelers, and learn about the hazards of
navigation as you travel beneath a three
story replica of the Ben Franklin Bridge
and make your way along a carpeted
Delaware River.
We also like the wooden boat
shop where you can watch as boats are
made by craftsmen using traditional tools
and techniques.
More Fun Nearby
While you're at the museum, be
sure to take a self-guided tour of the
two ships docked nearby.
- The Olympia was one of the nation's first
steel warships. Tour the ship's
quarters, barber shop, sick bay,
galley, bake shop and engine room
to get a sense of how the sailors
lived. Don't miss her 8-inch
guns, remembering that Commodore
Dewey was speaking of these when
he gave the famous order
"You may fire when you are
ready, Gridley" during the
Battle of Manila Bay. Her active
career came to a close in 1921
when she sailed to France and
brought the body of the Unknown
Soldier home to its final resting
place at Arlington National
Cemetery. The Olympia is the only
vessel remaining from the
Spanish-American War fleets and
the nation's "New Navy"
of the 1880s and 1890s.
- The Becuna is a World War II submarine. The
Becuna's tiny sleeping bunks
(directly under the torpedo
launching tubes!) and 15-inch
storage lockers for personal
belongings help remind us of how
harsh life beneath the sea was.
She made five war patrols and was
credited with destroying
thousands of tons of Japanese
naval and merchant ships.
We recommend that you allow
60 minutes for the tours of the two
ships.
Getting There
From I-95 North or South, take Exit
16 (Columbus Boulevard/Washington
Avenue). Turn left onto Columbus
Boulevard. Turn right under the Walnut
Street Pedestrian Bridge.
From the Schuylkill
Expressway (Route 76), take the Vine
Street Expressway (Route 676) to I-95 and
follow the directions above.
Penn's Landing offers three
public parking lots. There are additional
lots on nearby Pier 30 and across the
pedestrian bridge in the South Street
area.
Other Logistics
For more
information see the Museum's web site.
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